The University of Kent has been tackling the cost of living crisis through their student food bank, The Campus Pantry. We spoke with Kent Union President Zaid Mahmood about how students can access this service and how other universities can get involved.
We’ve had a food bank in the Kent Union since 2019 and a previous president brought it to fruition.
We hadn't seen it be used much until this year where the cost of living crisis has really worsened for students. We decided to rename the food bank to Campus Pantry as we wanted to remove the stigma that is attached to accessing a food bank.
We also wanted to make it as accessible as possible for all students who may need it. Between 2021-2022, we only saw approximately 48 students access it but between 2022-2023 over 200 students have accessed it. This in itself shows how bad food insecurity is amongst students and how the Campus Pantry can help tackle it.
We don’t collect data on the demographics of students who have accessed it. It is a 'no questions asked' space. However from what we have seen in more students utilising it, it has been students from more underprivileged backgrounds.
One thing we have seen with the cost of living crisis is that it impacts different communities at different levels and despite your background it will impact you.
One thing we have seen with the cost of living crisis is that it impacts different communities at different levels and you never know if despite your background it will impact you. We have seen it through our student body here at Kent the kind of impact it is having.
We have had to identity that and tackle it in specific ways as you can’t just have a blanket response because everyone deals with it differently. Students can come in during the drop in hours or they can come in outside of those two and we’ll open it up for them. If they are coming for the first time, they can collect 10 items, no questions asked. It has to be certain items to ensure they have a good variety of food and that they’re able to make good, hearty meals.
If students return, we refer them to our support service, which is completely independent and confidential from the university. They are then able to access financial and academic advice and speak to an advisor who can guide them through the many hardship funds we have at the University. If students are tacking food insecurity or accessing the Campus Pantry, there is financial help available and we want to help them through that process as well.
Our Campus Pantry is stocked with carbohydrates like rice and pasta but we also have canned beans, tomatoes and all the essential ingredients you would need to make high quality meals that can sustain you. We also provide sanitary products as well as toothbrushes and other similar items and snack items too. So it’s not just food, we have quite a wide variety. The ten items must be one of each group to ensure students are getting the food they need to help and sustain them.
I would highly recommend other universities opening a campus pantry or food bank. I think it’s a great resource to have, whether it be through the university or Students Union. We have seen that some campus pantries have failed because they haven’t been managed properly. I think its really important to ensure that you have a good system in place where you’re managing stock. Having a system like we do of ten items allows you to track when to replenish those items.
The most important part is ensuring its accessible and easy for students to find
Although when it comes down to it, the most important part is ensuring its accessible and easy for students to find. Additionally, funding is always an issue when it comes to things like this and student officers have the power to lobby universities. It should be a service that is continuously provided to be able to support the well-being of students and a sustainable source of funding is needed.
